President Trump on Friday predicted the government would shut down “for a period of time” amid an impasse in the Senate between Republicans and Democrats.
Trump expressed some pessimism about the two sides reaching an agreement that can garner 60 votes in the Senate. Republicans have 53 seats in the chamber, meaning at least seven Democrats will need to support a funding measure to keep the government open.
“We’ll continue to talk to the Democrats, but I think you could very well end up with a closed country for a period of time,” Trump said. “And we’ll take care of the military. We’ll take care of Social Security. We’ll take care of the things we have to take care of.
“A lot of the things Democrats fight for … will not be able to be paid,” Trump added. “So we’ll watch and see how we do with that.”
House Republicans earlier Friday approved a short-term government spending package to avert a shutdown at month’s end. The legislation was crafted by Republicans without Democratic input.
Hours later, Senate Democrats blocked the House-passed bill. Republicans also defeated an alternative proposal that would have moved the deadline to Oct. 31, raising the chances of a shutdown.
Republicans panned the Democratic proposal for costing an estimated $1.5 trillion, dismissing it as an unrealistic wish list that would never get Trump’s signature to become law.
Trump questioned whether Republicans would be able to strike a deal with Democrats, who have sought extensions on health care subsidies and restored Medicaid funding as part of an agreement.
“I don’t know if you can make a deal with these people,” Trump said. “I think these people are crazy.”
Trump thanked Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who has pushed back on the prospect of a shutdown.
“He wants to keep the country open,” Trump said. “We’re doing so well as a country.”
